Two quarterfinalists of the Birmingham Open are ready to begin their next grass tournament against each other. Leylah Fernandez is all set to lock horns with the Czech tennis star Barbora Krejcikova in the first round of the Eastbourne International. Both need a few more wins on grass before they can give a convincing performance at Wimbledon. Who in between these two tennis players has the edge in this enticing contest?

Looking at their form this season, Leylah Fernandez has reached two QFs, whereas Barbora Krejcikova has made it to three QFs. Krejcikova is a Grand Slam winner but on a different surface! She comes with vast experience of playing at the highest level of the game. So, defeating her won’t be a cakewalk for the 21-year-old Canadian, no matter which surface she’s playing on. However, Fernandez is known for her never-say-die attitude, so this match has all the ingredients to be a blockbuster showdown.

Leylah Fernandez vs Barbora Krejcikova: Preview

Fernandez was defeated by Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the QF of the Birmingham Classic by 6-1, 3-6, 2-6. She hit five aces in that match but had committed an equal number of double faults. Her first-serve win percentage was 71%, and her second-serve win percentage was around 44% in that match. However, she could manage to convert only three of her seven breakpoints against Tomljanovic.

So far, the world number 30 has hit 44 aces this season, but her double fault (105) counts are far higher. She has won 69.3% of her service games and 33.5% of her return games as of now.

Barbora Krejcikova, on the other hand, is entering this match after her QF loss to Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in the QF of the Birmingham Classic. Potapova defeated her comfortably by a 6-1, 6-4 scoreline. Krejcikova hit four aces in that match and committed just two double faults. Her first-serve win percentage was 63%, but her second-serve win percentage was around 62%. She failed to convert three of her breakpoint chances in that match.

If we take a look at her numbers from this season, the 28-year-old Czech tennis star has hit 55 aces so far this season and committed 62 double faults. She has won 67.4% of her service games and 31.4% of her return games. Have these two tennis stars ever played against each other in their careers?

Fernandez vs Krejcikova: Head-to-Head

Yes, only once! That was in 2021 at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In the R32 clash, Barbora Krejcikova defeated Leylah Fernandez by 6-2, 6-4. Even in that match, the Canadian struggled with her services. She won 68.8% of her first serve and 30.4% of her second serve in that match. However, Krejcikova won nearly 80% of her first serve and 44.4% of her second serve. Fernandez saved 6/10 breakpoints in the clash, while the Czech tennis star recorded 0/1. 

Prediction: Krejcikova to win in three sets

Both the players have yet to bring out their A-game on the Tour this season. They have performed well in some matches but have lacked the consistency needed in a tournament to make deep runs. Will Eastbourne be an exception? If yes, then who is going to take that first step forward? Well, Leylah Fernandez has struggled a bit with her serves in the last few years, and this can prove to be a major deciding factor in this epic clash. However, her athleticism, competitive nature, and incredible defensive abilities may do the cover-up against the former world number 2.

Barbora Krejcikova, on the other hand, is an aggressive player who loves to rely on her strong serves, powerful groundstrokes, and a fantabulous net game to break the deadlocks during the matches. Her two-handed backhand is arguably one of her most lethal weapons; however, her forehand is equally powerful. She currently has a win-loss record of 7-8 this season, while Leylah Fernandez has recorded 13-13. Their form has been a major concern for them this season, but their vast experience of playing big matches may give the Czech an edge in this epic battle